Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/30/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Fathers Richard and Robert Gielow leading our Parish Mission week.  

"There are 3 kinds of people in every parish:  Those who Make Things Happen; Those who Watch Things Happen, and Those who Wonder "What Happened?!" -- Father Richard





Simple Gifts 04/29/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 29, 2014

New greeting cards at Hallmark



Monday, April 28, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/28/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, April 28, 2014

Soaking the still-tired feet in water with some effervescent crystals


Sunday, April 27, 2014

DLR LotD 04/27/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, April 27, 2014

"What does the gecko say?" -- All team members of Prince Charming and the CinderPellas, several times each, in DCA

Simple Gifts 04/27/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, April 27, 2014

Prince Charming and the other Cinderpellas

Saturday, April 26, 2014

DLR LotD 04/26/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, April 26, 2014

"Don't worry, I won't bite.  I"m a vegetarian." -- Plaid Jeff, to the tour group, in Walt's Apartment



Simple Gifts 04/26/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, April 26, 2014

Giggling with Bro and V over drinks and made-at-our-table guacamole


Friday, April 25, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/25/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, April 25, 2014

Babies!  

Someone brought their baby to the office today, and he played with my lanyard.  Then, my godsister Janice gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  

Welcome to the world, Waike Mahal!  

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/24/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 24, 2014

A day off after an interview so that I can have fun with Lori during her Spring Break

Simple Gifts 04/23/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 23, 2014

A pleasant work atmosphere, filled with good attitudes

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/22/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Planet Earth and the Circle of Life.

I watched NOVA, and it was about reintroducing predators into the wild.  Wolves in Yellowstone: good.  Bears in a European neighborhood:  maybe not so good.  Panthers controlling wild hogs in Florida: good.  


Simple Gifts 04/21/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, April 21, 2014

Bought avocados for 50 cents each during my walk around the neighborhood.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/20/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, April 20, 2014

Turtles

Chick Songs by Dudes

The Dan Band
Saturday, April 5, 2014
The Coach House -- San Juan Capistrano, CA

Jenn wanted to share with us her favorite band (before she met Rockapella, and they became her favorite).   So off we went to San Juan Cap to see The Dan Band.

Opening act:  Groove Kitty
  • Since The Dan Band was going to do "chick songs", Groove Kitty treated us to a set list of "dude songs".  
  • I really liked the lead singer's bustier/corset.  
  • I also liked their song selection.  One of my favorites: Journey's "Any Way You Want It"
  • Great set!
Guy at table next to us allowed us to sit with him so that we could see better.  I can't remember his name  but we told him to see Rockapella when they come back there, because he's a regular.

The Dan Band
  • Their introduction was to the theme of "Wonder Woman".  Where are my silver bracelets?!
  • Dude in front row trying to punch Dan's balls:  you're drunk and you got escorted out in front of your girlfriend's parents.  Was that an uncomfortable ride home?
  • Wendy now wants to call people with white pants "Labor Day".
  • What the heck was that about the shoes?
  • I love the backup singers, with their choreography and their antics.
  • I like how Dan tells almost every woman he talks to, "I like you".
  • Nickname for person whom ate a baked potato and maybe had something in her teeth: "Chive"
  • Loved "Single Ladies", mostly because they showed Beyonce's video behind them, and you could see the guys doing every single move like those on the video.
  • I was scared to give Dan any eye contact because Jenn warned us.   I'm glad she warned us.
Look what I found by the stairs, at the top of the wall of photos, after the show!

From April 3, 1997

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/19/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, April 19, 2014

"The Ten Commandments":.  "Let my people go." vs. "So let it be written. So let it be done."



Simple Gifts 04/18/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, April 18, 2014

Beauty and the Beast - the musical.  Happy 20th Anniversary, Belle! 



Friday, April 18, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/17/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 17, 2014

Happy hour bonding time with a co-worker.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/16/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 16, 2014

St. James Episcopal Church.

If I had never joined the choir there way back when, I might not have ever met today's birthday girl, and I would have missed out on a wonderful friendship..

Happy Birthday, Linda!


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/15/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The Blood Moon.  Eerie.


Monday, April 14, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/14/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, April 14, 2014

CASA shared the retrospective video that they played at BOSS for Rockapella's Lifetime Achievement Award.  I love my guys: all the renditions, all the crazy hairstyles, all the all.

We Survived, Let's Eat!

You know me, I need to support my band and all of its members, former and current!

I'm not Jewish.  The most I do to celebrate Passover is to watch "The Ten Commandments", which, for the past few years, has aired on Easter Vigil, which is when I'm usually in church for hours and I don't get home until Moses is already coming back  and Nefertiri is trying to make the Pharoah jealous.  But I love the movie in all of its Cesar B. DeMIlle-ness.

This year, Sean Altman has released a new video for Passover, and it's hilarious.  Yes, it includes Moses.  Yes, it includes the Pharoah.  Yes, it includes plagues.  One of my favorite visuals, though, is Sean's awesome Star of David/Superman t-shirt.  Also, it's written, directed and produced by Jeff Living Legend/Demigod Thacher.  

Enjoy!


Simple Gifts 04/13/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, April 13, 2014

Meeting and getting art signed by Noah at Wonderground Gallery

The Price You Pay



DLR LotD 04/13/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, April 13, 2014

"And now there's a Woody in the window." -- Wendy, after Sherry pointed out where she met Bananaman, at Jamba Juice

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Don't Trust Anyone

Last week, Cindy, Glenn, Linda and I ate a yummy brunch at Nano Cafe, then went to the movie theater to see "Captain America: The Winter Soldier".  It was the first viewing for Linda and me, and we watched it in 3D.

  • "On your left."
  • Wow, Peggy co-founded S.H.I.E.L.D.?!
  • I would like to have the same features on my car that Nick Fury had on his.
  • "Air conditioning is fully operational."
  • Chris Evans is REALLY handsome. Have you noticed?  Just in case she hadn't, I told Linda during the film.
  • "Shall we play a game?  It's from a movie."  "I saw it."
  • I loved Cap's to-do list.
  • No mention of Coulson at all?  Ah, figured that out when I watched "Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." on Tuesday.  I liked all of that stuff linking each other.
  • Redford!
  • "They don't have the numbers on the *outside* of the buildings."
  • "Oh, man! I am so fired."
  • "Well, all the guys in my barbershop group are dead."
  • "Two sides of a coin that's no longer currency."
  • Oh, Sebastian Stan, aka The Mad Hatter from "Once Upon A Time"!  Cool.
Well done.  I need to watch that again.  Joss Whedon is supposed to be in it, riding the escalator and wearing a Captain America shirt.  

Well-Deserved

Congratulations to my beloved Rockapella, the first-ever winners of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Contemporary A Cappella Society!!!

Rockapella received their award last night at Boston Sings, an a cappella festival, where they were the featured artists at the professional showcase.  In attendance to receive the award were current line-up members Scott Leonard, Jeff Thacher, George Baldi, Steve Dorian and Calvin Jones, as well as Charlie Evett and original member Elliott Kermann.  

I wish I had been there to see them accept their award, but I'm proud that the first-ever honor went to the group that influenced many, many current contemporary a cappella groups.

You are the best, Rockapella, and in my heart and in the hearts of many, many fans, you always will be. 


Tower Records 04/16/99
Barry, Kevin, Elliott, Scott and Jeff


Simple Gifts 04/12/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, April 12, 2014

An evening at Disneyland with friends, with the added bonus of Bro and V

Mickey Vaders

DLR LotD 04/12/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, April 12, 2014

"Sully: Sulli.  Mike: Robert.  WHAT?!?" -- Sherry, at Starcade

Friday, April 11, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/11/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, April 11, 2014

All of those fun internet personality quizzes

From what I can glean off of my FB activity, I am:

Musical Instrument:  Tympani
Flower:  Carnation
"Frozen" character: Sven
'80s Boyfriend: Jake Ryan of "Sixteen Candles"
March Magic Team:  Fantasmic Dragons
Historical Era: Biblical Times
Haircut I Should Actually Have: Long Bob
Strong Female Character: Mulan
Mythical Creature: Centaur
"Grease" Pink Lady: Sandy
"Sesame Street" Character: Cookie Monster
Classic Rock Band: Pink Floyd
American Presidnet: Barack Obama
"Big Bang Theory" Character: Leonard
"Harry Potter" Character: Hermione Grainger
"Star Wars" Character: Princess Leia
Muppets Character: Janice
City I Should Actually Live In: Cape Town
Mental Age: 19
Classical Music Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Color: Red
Spirit Animal: Raven
Travoltified Name: Sorley Smotckins





Thursday, April 10, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/10/13

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 10, 2014

Stephen Colbert taking over Late Night when David Letterman retires

Congratulations, Stephen!!!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/09/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Fried tilapa for the whole office, courtesy of our office manager.  

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/08/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Tying in "Captain America: Winter Soldier" occurrences with "Marvel: Agents of Shield", so I can yell "WHAT?!?" at my TV for an hour.  


Monday, April 7, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/07/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, April 7, 2014

Needing stuff that happens to be on sale in the store where I'm shopping.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/06/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, April 6, 2014

Evan Williams Honey Bourbon as a snack

Simple Gifts 04/05/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, April 5, 2014

Finding the Rockapella headshot at The Coach House

Dated 04/03/97

Friday, April 4, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/04/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 4,2014

A day off to recover after a great wine dinner

DLR LotD 04/03/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, April 3, 2014
Special Edition: Brewer-Clifton/Palmina wine dinner at Catal

Welcome:  2012 Palmina Tocai Friulano, Honea Vineyard*
"Swig!" -- Jenn, to Sher, during pivotal moments in her story

Catal Terrace


Amuse Bouche: Chicken pate terrine, apricot mostarda, toasted pistachios
2011 Palmina 'Subida' Tocai Fiulano, Honea Vineyard
"Wine is weird." -- Sher, noting the difference of the Subida taste before and after eating the pate

First Course:  Black cod, arroz negro, sugar snap peas, mango, coconut-lemongrass foam
2010 Brewer-Clifton '3-D' Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills
"Toddlers, tears, and tantrums." -- Chrystal, telling us her mantra when dealing with her son's very loud and repetitive request for his Buzz Lightyear costume while in line for Astro Orbiter

Mmmm....mango

Second Course:  Duck breast, duck confit cigar, hon-shimeji mushrooms, kale, dark cherries, anise jus
2011 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
"Wine is edible art." -- Chrystal, elegantly speaking about everyone's different reaction to wine pairings.




Third Course: Spiced pork belly and scallop, parsnip cream, beet beurre rouge, root vegetable potpourri*
2011 Palmina Barbera, Santa Barbara County*
"I have a special relationship with bacon." -- Ron, to Sherry

I asked Chef to please make this part of the regular menu

Fourth Course: Grilled New York strip, smoked short rib and onion marmalade ravioli, violet mustard, Romanesco, thyme jus
2008 Palmina Nebbiolo, Santa Barbara County
"It's the Happiest Wine on Earth!" -- Chrystal

Wish I still had room to finish the ravioli.  Quite tasty.

Dessert:  Ginger-buttermilk panna cotta, local strawberries, candied pistachios, shortbread cookie crumble
"That's not a doughnut.  That's a piece of dough eating strawberries for breakfast." -- Ron, looking at Jenn's picture of the Strawberry Donut from The Donut Man

I love that we had 2 dishes with pistachios

"GRAPPA!!!" -- multiple people at our table, ready for an aperitif of Amaro Nonino Quintessential*
Chrystal, still ready to drink us all under the table with grappa


*my favorites

Thank you to our table mates:  proprietors Steve and Chrystal Clifton, Bill, and distributor Ron Striewig of Wine Warehouse. Thanks also for the hospitality, Matt, Valerie and Leah, and to Chef Steven Mary, thank you for the wonderful food!

Jenn and I are already planning to do a road trip to Lompoc to visit the winery and cook Filipino food.  Maybe we'll get to see Steve play with his band, Fast Mojo, while we're there.

Happy Anniversary!

Simple Gifts 04/03/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, April 3, 2014

Doughnuts during our 5.5-hour conference call.  Seriously, I NEEDED that maple bar.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/02/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Breakfast burritos from the boss, even when she's away from the office.



Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Simple Gifts 04/01/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, April 1, 2014

I won a bag of ground coffee today at the Music Club business meeting!  Cinnamon Hazelnut....mmmmmm.